better 1 of 4

as in more
to a greater or higher extent he knows property law better than anyone else

Synonyms & Similar Words

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better

2 of 4

noun

better

3 of 4

verb

better

4 of 4

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word better distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of better are ameliorate, help, and improve. While all these words mean "to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard," improve and better are general and interchangeable and apply to what can be made better whether it is good or bad.

measures to further improve the quality of medical care
immigrants hoping to better their lot

When might ameliorate be a better fit than better?

The synonyms ameliorate and better are sometimes interchangeable, but ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

When can help be used instead of better?

The words help and better can be used in similar contexts, but help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of better
Adverb
The White House, ahead of the speech, paired police reform with bringing down violence, suggesting that giving police better training tools could lead to less crime nationwide. Zeke Miller and, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023 Buschatzke and others argue that a better and more equitable approach would be to start accounting for evaporation and other water losses from the reservoirs and along the river in the Lower Basin. Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2023
Noun
In related news, Emma Foehringer Merchant wrote a fascinating story for Undark about researchers creating a repository of birds and bats killed at solar and wind farms, to better understand why they’re getting killed and how to prevent it. Sammy Rothstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2023 Last year, the office held listening sessions in Grove Hall, Roxbury, Mattapan, and Jamaica Plain to better understand the needs of women and gender-expansive individuals. Tiana Woodard, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023
Verb
The hook is still in play, and a lot of betters seem to be biting on it. Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024 In the dance of love there are no betters — there is only the pursuit of radical equality. Jimi Calhoun, Austin American-Statesman, 16 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Understanding how these human cultural practices shape evolutionary patterns will allow people to better design cities that support both humans and the wildlife that call these places home. Elizabeth Carlen, The Conversation, 3 July 2025 The performance, which bettered Wilson’s former U18 best of 44.20 from last year at the Holloway Pro Classic, moved the rising high school senior and Olympic gold medalist to No. 4 in the world at the distance. Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for better
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
Adverb
  • Russia has a 50-year goal, to re-unite parts of the old Soviet Union; Ukraine has a more immediate goal, to stop the war and not give up any territory to do so.
    Richard Stengel, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The fight scenes are still inventive while everyone works with a far more modest budget than Gunn gets in his movies.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Accessibility and Sustainability There are two room types at the Adler Dolomiti that are wheelchair accessible, the family superior and the double-room superior.
    Tomeka Jones, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2025
  • The agent in the Trojan War episode has what’s basically a primitive BlackBerry, able to text messages back to his superiors on another continent.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Do rules reflect actual AI usage patterns among teens? Equity Access: Can all students access the same AI tools, or do policies create advantages for families with premium subscriptions?
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Taking the extra base, even with the ball hit in front of him, helped double Colorado’s advantage.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Already this summer, Carll has opened for Tyler Childers, Turnpike, and Robert Earl Keen, with crowds often exceeding 10,000.
    Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Just like any other business, rental housing has to at least pay for itself, and if those costs exceed rent collections, like any other business, a housing project will be in trouble.
    Roger Valdez, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • This method is proving to be an effective way to improve the audience’s relationship with the brand and the real-world impact of marketing dollars.
    Stacey Stratton, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • This can significantly improve efficiency and reduce errors, making the 15-minute breaks a worthwhile investment in long-term productivity.
    Nancy Pulciano, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Lee will face Republican Ruth Bittner in the special election on Sept. 16.
    Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 13 Aug. 2025
  • That report fueled demands for her ouster and a special election granting the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors the power to remove her by a four-fifths vote.
    Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The square stones have rounded edges to prevent scratching, and there’s no unpleasant metallic taste.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The Diamondbacks were given a slight edge on betting lines to win more games than the Padres.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Revenue increased by 13% year-over-year to $3.1 billion, surpassing the $3.03 billion consensus, with an EPS of $1.03 exceeding expectations of $0.94.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The record set last year is 16 feet deep, and forecasters say the river could surpass that.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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